Paul Goldschmidt, D-Backs deny Dodgers clincher 9-4

By Bob Baum
Associated Press

Published: Thursday, Sept. 19 2013 12:00 a.m. MDT

Los Angeles Dodgers' Michael Young (10) is called out on a play at home plate as Arizona Diamondbacks' Miguel Montero applies the tag in the sixth inning during a baseball game on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013, in Phoenix. (Ross D. Franklin, Associated Press)

PHOENIX — Paul Goldschmidt homered and the Arizona Diamondbacks blew the game open late to prevent Los Angeles from clinching the NL West title with a 9-4 victory over the Dodgers on Wednesday night.

Goldschmidt's opposite-field two-run shot off Stephen Fife (4-4) in the first inning moved him into the NL lead with 34 home runs.

Yasiel Puig hit a solo home run calculated at 442 feet for the Dodgers, who have lost five of six and get one more chance to clinch in Arizona in the series finale Thursday.

The Dodgers' Adrian Gonzalez was ejected after Michael Young was called out at the plate in a close play in the sixth inning.

Brandon McCarthy (5-9) went six-plus innings to get the victory. Arizona broke open a close game with five runs in the eighth.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Adrian Gonzalez (23) tries to explain to manager Don Mattingly why he argued a call that got him ejected in the sixth inning during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013, in Phoenix. (Ross D. Franklin, Associated Press)

Tim Federowicz drove in two runs with a home run and RBI double.

McCarthy gave up two runs, scattering 10 hits in six-plus innings.

Arizona led just 4-3 before blowing the game open against Belisario, the Dodgers' sixth pitcher of the night. Adam Eaton had a two-run single, Aaron Hill and Martin Prado each an RBI double and Chris Owings walked with the bases loaded.

Fife got the start in place of Clayton Kershaw, whose outing was pushed back three days to Saturday's game at San Diego to give him some extra late-season rest. Fife never made it out of the third, giving up a two-run homer to Goldschmidt in the first and a two more runs in the third as Arizona took a 4-0 lead. He allowed four runs on six hits in 2 1-3 innings, walking two and hitting two batters.

Arizona Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt, right, gets ready for a high-five from teammate Adam Eaton (6) after hitting a two-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning during a baseball game on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013, in Phoenix. (Ross D. Franklin, Associated Press)

Gonzalez was tossed by second base umpire Andy Fletcher in the top of the sixth inning after Michael Young attempted to score from first on Gonzalez's double. Young was called out by first base umpire Jim Joyce, catcher Miguel Montero taking shortstop Chris Owings' relay throw and put down the tag although replays showed Young's hand appeared to touch the plate first.

Puig opened the game with a ground-rule double but was picked off by Montero after wandering too far off second.

He atoned for it with a soaring home run far above the 413-foot sign in left-center to lead off the fourth. The Dodgers added a run later in the inning on consecutive singles by Carl Crawford, Young and Gonzalez to cut Arizona's lead to 4-2.

Los Angeles pulled within one, 4-3, in the seventh when Nick Punto led off with a single and scored from third on Federowicz's double down the left field line. Federowicz advanced to third with one out on Skip Schumaker's sacrifice bunt but was stranded when pinch hitter Scott Van Slyke grounded into a double play.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Stephen Fife delivers against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013, in Phoenix. (Matt York, Associated Press)

Eaton hustled on what should have been a single to Puig in right and turned it into a double to start the Arizona first. After one out, Goldschmidt sent a 3-2 pitch to the opposite field for a two-run home run.

Arizona's third run scored after Fife hit Montero with a pitch to start the third inning. Matt Davidson's single advanced runner to third, then Montero scored when Parra bounced into a fielder's choice.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly tried to make a pitching change but was chased back to the dugout by home plate umpire Joe West because pitching coach Rick Honeycutt already had visited the mound in the same at-bat. Fife went on to walk McCarthy on four pitches to load the bases.

Carlos Marmol relieved Fife and promptly walked Eaton to bring in a run and make it 4-0.

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon McCarthy delivers against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of a baseball game on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013, in Phoenix. (Matt York, Associated Press)

Notes: Goldschmidt's 34 home runs tie him with Steve Finley for seventh on the Arizona career list. ... In the last meeting of the teams' this season, the Dodgers send RHP Ricky Nolasco (13-10, 3.36 ERA) to the mound Monday while LHP Wade Miley (10-10, 3.70). ... Arizona leads the season series 10-8. ... Gonzalez was ejected for the third time in his career, first this season.